Why do people only listen to old music as they get older?

27 February 2023

There’s all sorts of reasons, but a lack of time to seek out new compositions, and not simply a love of “old music”, is one:

One explanation for the age-based reduction in music consumption simply posits that responsibility-laden adults may have less discretionary time to explore their musical interests than younger people.

This is where good old radio can help. Switch to station that plays newer, less familiar, music, while you’re working or driving. Since radio playlists are generally repetitive, new favourites will gradually worm their way into your ear.